THE ARGUMENT THIS little Book, by whomsoever written, which is not material to know, is annexed to the Book of Judges, and by some of the Hebrew doctors made a part of it.

In the days when the judges ruled; which is noted as the cause of the following famine, because in much of that time they were guilty of great defection from God. But under which of the judges this happened, Scripture being silent, it seems presumptuous to determine; nor is it necessary to know.

Ephrathites; so called, because this Beth-lehem is otherwise called Ephrath or Ephratah, Gen. 35:19, Mic. 5:2; either from Caleb’s wife of that name, 1 Chron. 2:19, 1 Chron.

Of the women of Moab; either these were proselytes when they married them, which may well be doubted, from Ruth 1:15, or they sinned in marrying them, as appears from Deut. 7:3, Deut. 23:3, Ezra 9:1–2, Neh.

i.e. Food; so she staid no longer than necessity forced her.

Each to her mother’s house; not that they wanted fathers, Ruth 2:11, but because daughters used to converse more frequently with their mothers, and to be most endeared to them, and to dwell in the same apartments with them, which then were distinct from those parts of the house where the men dwelt.

Rest, i.e. a quiet and happy life, free from those cares, vexations, encumbrances, and troubles which widows are in a special manner exposed unto. She kissed them, as the manner there was when friends parted.

According to the ancient custom, Gen. 38:0, and the express law of God, Deut. 25:5, which doubtless she had acquainted them with before, among other branches of the Jewish religion, wherein she did instruct them.

Go your way. Quest. Why doth she dissuade them from this journey, and not rather persuade them to go with her, and to embrace the Jewish religion? Answ. 1. Possibly she thought such dissuasion might be the best way to persuade them, as it oft happens; especially in that sex. 2.

Would ye stay for them from having husbands? it is unreasonable for me to expect it, or for you to perform it. For your sakes; that you are left without the comfort of husbands or children; that I must part with such dear and affectionate daughters; and that my circumstances are such that I cannot…

Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, i.e. departed from with a kiss, as the manner was, Gen. 31:28, 1 Kings 19:20.

Unto her people, and unto her gods; which she saith, partly, to try Ruth’s sincerity and constancy; partly, that by upbraiding Orpah with her idolatry she might consequently turn her from it; and partly, that she might intimate to her, that if she went with her, she must embrace the true God and…

I renounce those idols which my sister hath returned to, and I wilt worship no other God but thine, who is indeed the only true God.

Is this she that formerly lived in so much plenty and honour? Oh how marvellously is her condition changed, that she is returned in this forlorn and desolate condition!

Naomi signifies pleasant or cheerful, or amiable. Mara signifies bitter or sorrowful.

Full; with my husband and sons, and a plentiful estate for our support. Hath testified against me, i.e. hath borne witness, as it were, in judgment, and given sentence against me, and declared my sin by my punishment.